Iraq

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received concerning the use of napalm gas in Fallujah.

Adam Ingram: None.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance is being provided by British troops to locate and make safe any unexploded armaments in and around Fallujah resulting from recent Multi-National Force actions.

Geoff Hoon: None; there are no UK units in Fallujah.

Radiation Exposure

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department places in the public domain on the extent to which those working at defence establishments that use nuclear materials are exposed to radiation; what independent assessment is made of the dosimetry statistics; and what research is being conducted to reduce radiation exposure.

Adam Ingram: Since 1990 the Ministry of Defence has placed in the Library of the House copies of the annual dosimetry statistics for workers who receive exposures from radiation sources and radioactive materials used by the Ministry of Defence and its contractors. These annual dosimetry statistics include all personnel monitored by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Radiological Protection Services (DRPS) Approved Dosimetry Service.
	AWE employs its own dosimetry laboratory which is subject to regulation and scrutiny by the HSE. AWE dosimetry statistics are published in AWE plc annual reports, a copy of which is also available in the Library of the House, and on the AWE plc website. The doses reported in the DRPS statistics are very low when compared with the regulatory dose limits. The annual dose limit for workers aged 18 and over is 20 mSv. The average dose in 2003 for all personnel monitored by the DRPS Approved Dosimetry Service was 0.35 mSv and the maximum dose to any individual in 2003 was below 5 mSv. The DRPS report includes dosimetry information based on all DRPS customers and this includes an element of commercial work for organisations such as NHS trusts and HM Customs and Excise.
	The Ministry of Defence provides radiation dosimetry information to the National Radiological Protection Board for inclusion in the National Registry of Radiation Workers (NRRW). The NRRW is used to support independent epidemiological analysis of workers exposed to radiation during the course of their work.
	The Ministry of Defence is bound by Regulation 8 of the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 that places a duty on employers, in relation to any work with ionising radiation that they undertake, to take all necessary steps to restrict, so far as is reasonably practicable, the extent to which their employees and other persons are exposed to ionising radiation. Compliance with this duty is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive and HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate together the Ministry of Defence's internal Regulators.
	The Ministry of Defence and its contractors carefully consider the need to reduce worker doses when designing, operating, maintaining, decommissioning plant and equipment that involves exposure to radiation.

Spectrum

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the spectrum price paid by his Department for the bands which it managed was in financial years (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01, (c) 2001–02, (d) 2002–03 and (e) 2003–04; what his estimate is for 2004–05; and what estimate he has made for financial years (i) 2005–06, (ii) 2006–07 and (iii) 2007–08.

Adam Ingram: The price paid by financial year was as follows:
	
		
			 Financial year Price paid (£ million) 
		
		
			 1999–2000 (1)6 
			 2000–01 (1)12 
			 2001–02 22,625 
			 2002–03 23,740 
			 2003–04 24,292 
			 For the current year:  
			 2004–05 24,292 
			 Estimates for:  
			 2005–06 55,784 
			 2006–07 55,784 
		
	
	(1) Approx.
	Thereafter the pricing is expected to be reviewed by HM Treasury.

Swan Hunter

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial support has the Department given to Swan Hunter shipyard in each of the last 30 years.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence does not provide financial support to the defence industry.
	The lead Department for policy relating to Government financial support to industry is the Department for Trade and Industry.

Select Committees (Legislation)

Tony Wright: To ask the Leader of the House if he will make proposals to the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House to enable Select Committees to introduce legislation.

Phil Woolas: My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so. It is, of course, already open to any Member to introduce legislation. The question is whether bills initiated by Select Committees should have priority over other non-Government bills.

Hybrid Engine Cars

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to develop hybrid engine cars.

David Jamieson: holding answer 10 January 2005
	The Government provides a number of incentives to encourage the purchase and use of clean, low carbon vehicles, including hybrid vehicles. The Vehicle Excise Duty regime, for example, rewards the purchase of the most fuel-efficient vehicles, with additional discounts for hybrid vehicles. The company car tax system introduced in April 2002 provides very large incentives to encourage the purchase of clean, fuel-efficient cars, with hybrid vehicles enjoying a significant additional discount.
	The Government also funds two grant programmes, run by the Energy Saving Trust, which are designed to encourage the development and market uptake of more environmentally friendly (lower CO 2 and/or air pollutant-emitting) vehicles and vehicle technologies, including hybrids. The New Vehicle Technology Fund provides grants for projects to develop demonstration vehicles for new technologies which reduce the CO 2 emissions and/or air pollutant emissions such as NOx and particulates. During 2004–05 18 projects have been funded, of which 11 involve hybrid technology. The grant allocation for the New Vehicle Technology Fund in 2004–05 is £4.6 million.
	The Powershift grant programme is also funded by Government, to provide grants to individuals and undertakings to purchase vehicles which are proven to have reduced CO 2 and/or air pollutant emissions, in order to encourage their uptake. So far during 2004–05, grants have been awarded towards the purchase of 1,053 hybrid cars, which represents 42 per cent. of the total number of vehicles funded.
	As we announced on 21 December 2004, following our recent consultation exercise, we intend to revise the grant programmes so as to incentivise the cleanest cars regardless of the technology or fuel type, while ensuring that grant levels are also consistent with European rules on state aid. A full copy of the press release can be accessed on the Department for Transport's website, at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pns/displaypn.cgi?pn id=2004 0164

Road Accidents

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many pedestrians have been (a) injured, (b) seriously injured and (c) killed in collisions with (i) car drivers, (ii) drivers of all motor vehicles and (iii) cyclists in each of the last five years.

David Jamieson: The information requested is shown in the following table. Figures are taken from the annual publication "Road Casualties Great Britain" copies of which can be found in the House of Commons Library.
	
		Pedestrian casualties by vehicle hit in accident: GB 1999–2003
		
			Number of casualties 
			 Vehicle type: Severity 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Pedal cycle Killed 5 3 0 4 4 
			  Serious 70 66 60 47 45 
			  Slight 276 225 198 158 210 
			  All 351 294 258 209 259 
			 Car Killed 608 590 531 534 533 
			  Serious 7,451 7,161 6,828 6,496 5,886 
			  Slight 27,603 27,038 26,127 24,944 23,390 
			  All 35,662 34,789 33,486 32,024 29,809 
			 All motor vehicles(2) Killed 863 849 822 766 762 
			  Serious 8,867 8,549 8,161 7,790 7,100 
			  Slight 32,685 32,200 31,237 29,906 28,206 
			  All 42,415 41,598 40,220 38,462 36,068 
		
	
	(2) Excludes vehicle type not reported.

Lyons Review

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the impact of the Lyons Review in areas of Scotland not named in the King Sturge report; and what role his Department is playing in public sector job relocation to Scotland.

Anne McGuire: The King Sturge report was intended to be used as a guide to departments when considering relocation away from Whitehall and is not definitive. My right hon. Friend has made the advantages of Scotland as a location clear to other government departments and has encouraged them to consider Scotland when they assess relocation options. My hon. Friend will be aware that we are scheduled to meet to discuss this matter further.

Child Trust Fund

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the implementation in Scotland of the child trust fund.

Anne McGuire: My right Hon. Friend discusses a wide range of issues with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. In June last year my right Hon. Friend launched the Child Trust roadshow in Scotland for potential financial providers.

CDC/Actis Capital

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  if he will list investments CDC/Actis Capital has made in (a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004 by (i) amount, (ii) country and (iii) percentage of the total CDC/Actis Capital portfolio;
	(2)  what percentage of its disbursements CDC/Actis Capital has invested in (a) least developed, (b) other low-income, (c) low and middle-income and (d) upper middle-income countries in (i) 2002, (ii) 2003 and (iii) 2004.

Hilary Benn: CDC's investments in 2002–04 by country, amount and percentage of the portfolio were as follows:
	
		2002
		
			   £ million Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Peru, Argentina and Chile 48.3 6.0 
			 2 Latin America and SE Asia 17.7 2.2 
			 3 Dominican Republic 17.3 2.1 
			 4 Africa, Asia and Latin America 14.8 1.8 
			 5 Pan South Asia 8.8 1.1 
			 6 El Salvador 6.6 0.8 
			 7 Kenya 5.9 0.7 
			 8 Pakistan 5.5 0.7 
			 9 Egypt 5.5 0.7 
			 10 Indonesia/Papua New Guinea 5.3 0.7 
			 11 India 5.1 0.6 
			 12 India 4.4 0.5 
			 13 Mexico 3.7 0.5 
			 14 Bolivia 3.4 0.4 
			 15 India 3.3 0.4 
			 16 Costa Rica 3.2 0.4 
			 17 China 2.8 0.4 
			 18 Pakistan 2.2 0.3 
			 19 Guyana 1.9 0.2 
			 20 Mozambique 1.9 0.2 
			 21 Sri Lanka 1.6 0.2 
			 22 Zambia 1.3 0.2 
			 23 Nicaragua 1.3 0.2 
			 24 Southern Africa 1.0 0.1 
			 25 Others (each under £1 million) 13.5 1.7 
			  Total new investments in 2002 186.3 23.1 
			  Total CDC portfolio at 31 December 2002 805.1 — 
		
	
	
		2003
		
			   £ million Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Bangladesh 83.6 9.4 
			 2 Tanzania 56.0 6.3 
			 3 India 19.1 2.1 
			 4 South Africa 18.8 2.1 
			 5 Algeria 15.8 1.8 
			 6 Kenya 10.1 1.1 
			 7 South Africa 9.8 1.1 
			 8 China 6.8 0.8 
			 9 Costa Rica 6.5 0.7 
			 10 South Africa 5.0 0.6 
			 11 El Salvador 3.6 0.4 
			 12 Tanzania 3.6 0.4 
			 13 South Africa 3.0 0.3 
			 14 Tanzania 2.5 0.3 
			 15 China 2.0 0.2 
			 16 Uganda 1.9 0.2 
			 17 Pan Africa 1.8 0.2 
			 18 Sri Lanka 1.7 0.2 
			 19 Costa Rica 1.4 0.2 
			 20 Zambia 1.4 0.2 
			 21 Tanzania 1.1 0.1 
			 22 South Africa 1.0 0.1 
			 23 Others (each under £1 million) 4.0 0.4 
			  Total new investments in 2003 260.5 29.3 
			  Total CDC portfolio at 31 December 2003 888.6 — 
		
	
	
		2004
		
			   £ million Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Egypt 38.4 4.4 
			 2 Tanzania 26.1 3.0 
			 3 Nigeria 13.1 1.5 
			 4 Nigeria 11.2 1.3 
			 5 Bolivia 10.3 1.2 
			 6 India 7.9 0.9 
			 7 Pan Africa 7.5 0.9 
			 8 China 6.3 0.7 
			 9 Nigeria 6.1 0.7 
			 10 Malaysia 5.9 0.7 
			 11 South Africa 5.6 0.6 
			 12 China 5.5 0.6 
			 13 South Africa 5.3 0.6 
			 14 India 5.1 0.6 
			 15 Rwanda 2.6 0.3 
			 16 Burkina Faso 2.0 0.2 
			 17 Senegal 1.5 0.2 
			 18 Tanzania 1.2 0.1 
			 19 Cuba 1.1 0.1 
			 20 Nigeria 0.6 0.1 
			 21 Ghana 0.6 0.1 
			 22 Others (each under £1 million) 4.7 0.5 
			  Total new investments in 2004 168.6 19.1 
			  Total CDC portfolio at 31 December 2004 881.8 — 
		
	
	Under its Investment Policy, a copy of which I placed in the Library last year, CDC is required to invest solely in, or for the benefit of, the countries included in the "CDC Universe". This is made up of the countries classified as low-income or middle-income by the World Bank. It is required to report against two investment targets, to make at least 70 per cent. of its new investments each year in countries with an annual GNI of US$1,750 pc or less and at least 50 per cent. of its new investments in sub Saharan Africa or South Asia. On a 5-year rolling basis, CDC's performance against these targets is as follows:
	
		
			Percentage 
			 Investment Policy Target 2002 2003 2004(3) 
		
		
			 70 per cent. ($1,750 GNI poor less) 75.4 74.6 76.8 
			 50 per cent. (sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia) 44.3 50.3 55.9 
		
	
	(3) Estimated—final figures not yet available
	Although CDC does not routinely report on investment by the country groups that you mention, the data given above shows that CDC's annual investments may be attributed as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage £ million 
		
		
			 2002   
			 Low Income countries 30.3 56.4 
			 (of which £3.2 million was in Least Developed Countries)   
			 Low Middle Income Countries 41.4 77.1 
			 Upper Middle Income Countries 28.3 52.8 
			 2003   
			 Low Income countries 69.9 182.1 
			 (of which £86.9 million was in Least Developed Countries)   
			 Low Middle Income Countries 27.1 70.5 
			 Upper Middle Income Countries 3 7.9 
			
			 2004   
			 Low Income countries 49.9 84.2 
			 (of which £6.1 million was in Least Developed Countries)   
			 Low Middle Income Countries 46.6 78.5 
			 Upper Middle Income Countries 3.5 5.9

India

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions his Department has had with the Indian Government concerning sex discrimination in India.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: holding answer 21 December 2004
	The Government of India (Gol) recognises that gender discrimination limits the prospects for development progress in India. It has a well-articulated policy and clearly mandated institutional structures, including the current tenth plan, for addressing gender discrimination. India has also played a lead role in ratifying gender-related UN conventions and international covenants.
	However, a falling ratio of girls to boys, in rich and poor states, and among better off and poorer households, reflects continuing discrimination against women and girls. Violence against women and girls persists. The Gol recognises this in its reporting under the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The Gol has included several Bills related to improving the status of women in its forthcoming parliamentary session.
	Over the last two years, the Department for International Development (DFID) has engaged closely with the Gol on the design of the large national Sarva Shikshya Abhyan (Education-for-All) and reproductive and child health programmes, developing their focus on the most vulnerable and hard to reach people in India, especially those who suffer multiple discrimination and social exclusion, particularly girls and women among marginalised groups. Approaches to improving outcomes for women and girls are explicitly included in the agreed designs. The Gol measures success in these programmes against progress towards gender equality.
	DFID also engages with Governments in its focus states on issues of discrimination and ensuring that women participate in design and monitoring of programmes. This state level work includes focused programmes that empower and address the practical needs and priorities of women and other marginalised groups, such as through micro-credit, development of gender policies, awareness raising and livelihood improvements, e.g. through the Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihoods and the Western Orissa Rural Livelihoods programmes. In 2003, DFID supported analysis of the Orissa budget from a gender perspective; key sectors, including the Orissa state health strategy and water and sanitation reforms, now seek to take account of the particular needs of women and girls.
	DFID worked with the United Nations Development Programme in India to include gender analysis in their support for state Human Development Reports. Discussions of access to justice and support for police reforms have both paid particular attention to the needs of women. In all programmes with the Gol that DFID supports, we seek to have monitoring and evaluation data disaggregated by gender in order to inform policy decisions. DFID also supports civil society to work with government to reduce gender discrimination.

Iraq

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the joint proposal of the Iraqi Interim Authority and the International Monetary Fund to replace the food ration to Iraqi families with a conditional cash payment;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with (a) the Iraqi Interim Government and (b) the International Monetary Fund on their joint proposal to replace the food ration to Iraqi families with a conditional cash payment.

Hilary Benn: I will write to the hon. Member for North West Leicestershire shortly.

Stored Works of Art

Gordon Prentice: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what the cost is of storing the paintings and works of art held by the House.

Archy Kirkwood: Items from the House collection not on display are kept in two basement storerooms, at no additional cash cost to the House. When works are displaced during the summer works programme, larger paintings are occasionally stored with specialist companies for which the House pays a fee.

Parliamentary Education Unit

Alan Whitehead: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what plans he has to support the expansion of the Parliamentary Education Unit to cope with demand for educational visits.

Archy Kirkwood: The Commission agreed in November to fund an additional staff post within the Education Unit to focus on outreach to young people, with a principal focus of the job being on building links with local education authorities, as recommended by the Modernisation Committee. The Commission looks forward to considering well founded proposals for the expansion of the Unit's work. It has also asked for further exploration of the possibility of extension of the current autumn visits programme run by the Unit to run all year round.

Parliamentary Education Unit

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what plans he has to support the expansion of the Parliamentary Education Unit to cope with demand for educational visits.

Archy Kirkwood: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today to the hon. Member for Southampton, Test (Dr. Whitehead).

Documents

Sue Doughty: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his Department's policy is in relation to the storage of documents and the use of shredders; and whether this policy has been reviewed in the past 12 months.

Yvette Cooper: Documents are stored either close to where they are used or by an off-site storage contractor. Material of no value as a record is disposed of, preferably by recycling, as soon as it is no longer required. Documents that form part of the official record are stored until they reach the end of their retention periods or they are selected for permanent preservation and transferred to The National Archives. When they are no longer required, official records are disposed of by shredding or other appropriate means and paper is recycled where practicable. Retention periods are determined on the basis of business need and guidance issued by The National Archives. Further details can be found at: http://www.national archives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's policy on the storage and disposal of records has not changed in the past 12 months.

Planning Policy Statement 6

Brian Cotter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he intends to publish Planning Policy Statement 6, Planning for Town Centres.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister aims to publish Planning Policy Statement 6, Planning for Town Centres in the spring.

Mental Capacity Bill

James Gray: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what discussions he has had with the Roman Catholic Church about the Mental Capacity Bill.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman) on 11 January.

Legal Aid

Ross Cranston: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what estimate he has made of the amount of interest generated on solicitors' client accounts which are not returned to clients in the last year for which figures are available; and what assessment he has made of the practical problems of introducing a policy of using this interest to fund legal aid.

David Lammy: My Department has not conducted any specific research into the likely amount of interest generated on solicitors' client accounts which are not returned to clients, but other sources (new Law Journal, December 17 1993) estimated a figure of £60 million per year in 1993. It was recognised, however, that this would be dependent on the rate of interest to be applied, and also the extent to which solicitors must account the interest to clients.
	I am aware that many other countries use this interest to fund public legal services. No formal assessment has been made of the practical problems of using such interest to fund legal aid in England and Wales.

Live Music

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what methodology was used in MORI's Survey of Live Music Staged in England and Wales in 2003–04 commissioned by her Department, with particular reference to the Minister for Sport's conclusion that an estimated 1.7 million gigs had been staged in the past year in bars, clubs and restaurants whose main business was not putting on live music.

Richard Caborn: A full description of the methodology used is provided in MORI's report Survey of Live Music Staged in England & Wales in 2003–04, which is available on the DCMS website at:
	<http://www.culture.gov.uk/global/research/research by dcms/live music exec summary.htm.>
	I am arranging for copies of the report to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
	For the sample, categories of venues were selected that did not appear to be reliant upon live music provision for their existence. MORI arrived at their estimate of 1.7 million live music events by calculating the average number of events being staged at each venue type in the sample, and then multiplying this figure by the total estimated number of venues in each category within England and Wales. Venues sampled were asked how many live events they had staged in the past 12 months, and were offered a series of ranges to choose from (e.g. 8–10,11–20, 21–31, 32–40, 40+). To calculate an average, MORI sensibly took the mid point for each range on the assumption that, on a normal distribution, they would expect roughly an equal proportion to fall above and below this.
	For respondents who said that their venue had staged 40+ live events over the past 12 months, MORI assumed an average of 60 live events each year—a realistic, if perhaps slightly conservative, estimate given that the number of such events each year could range between 41 and 150 (given three live music nights a week). In the unlikely scenario that all venues in the 41+ category only staged 41 live events in the past year, MORI calculated that the estimated number of live music events would be 1.3 million.

Business Support Initiatives

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the Answer of 7 December 2004, Official Report, column 465W, on Business Support Initiatives, how much financial assistance has been provided to companies through the (a) Passport to Export, (b) Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad and (c) Export Marketing Research Scheme products in each year since 2001–02; and what provision has been made for 2005–06.

Douglas Alexander: Assistance has been provided at the following levels:
	
		
			£ million 
			  Passport SESA EMRS 
		
		
			 2001–02 3.98 20 0.68 
			 2002–03 4.4 19.5 0.61 
			 2003–04 4.5 20 0.62 
			 The forecast level of assistance in 2004–05 is: 
			 2004–05 5.5 20 0.70 
			 The provision for 2005–06 is: 
			 2005–06 6.2 16 0.70

Post Office Card Accounts

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who is responsible for the operation of the Post Office Card Account helpline.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The operation of the Post Office card account is a commercial matter that falls within the day-to-responsibility of Post Office Ltd.

Post Office Card Accounts

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints have been received on the operation of Post Office Card Accounts since their introduction.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department of Trade and Industry has no role in the operation of the Post Office card account, which is a commercial matter that falls within the day-to-responsibility of Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Public Bodies

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed by the (a) Copyright Tribunal, (b) Employment Appeal Tribunal, (c) Insolvency Practitioners Tribunal, (d) persons hearing consumer credit licensing appeals, (e) persons hearing estate agents appeals and (f) employment tribunals; what the running cost of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement on the future of each body.

Gerry Sutcliffe: None of these bodies employ staff. Support/secretariat services for each body are provided as follows:
	
		
			 Body Support/secretariat services 
		
		
			 Copyright Tribunal The Patent Office 
			 Insolvency Practitioners Tribunal The Insolvency Service 
			 Persons hearing consumer credit licensing appeals DTI 
			 Persons hearing estate agents appeals DTI 
			 Employment Tribunals Employment Tribunals Service 
			 Employment Appeals Tribunal Employment Tribunals Service 
		
	
	The running costs of the Copyright Tribunal and Insolvency Practitioners Tribunal are not separately identifiable in the Patent Office or Insolvency Service accounts.
	The 2003–04 running costs for the Persons hearing consumer credit licensing appeals and Persons hearing estate agents appeals were £87,000 and £43,000 respectively.
	The running costs of The Employment Tribunals Service are contained in their Annual Report and Accounts for 2003–04. These were announced to Parliament, deposited in the House Libraries and e-published at www.ets.gov.uk in July 2004.
	All the listed bodies are kept under review, in accordance with Government guidelines, to ensure that its functions are still required and that these bodies still provide the most effective means of carrying out those functions.
	Under plans set out in the White Paper "Transforming Public Services: Complaints, Redress and Tribunals", published in July 2004, The Employment Tribunals, Employment Appeal Tribunal, The Persons hearing consumer credit licensing appeals, Persons hearing estate agents appeals will be transferred to the Tribunal Service under the auspices of the Department for Constitutional Affairs. The Employment Tribunals and Employment Appeal Tribunal are expected to transfer on 1 April 2006. The Persons hearing consumer credit licensing appeals and the Persons hearing estate agents appeals will transfer in due course.

Public Bodies

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed by (a) the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission, (b) the Information Age Partnership, (c) the Low Pay Commission, (d) the Small Business Investment Taskforce and (e) the Women's National Commission; what the running cost of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement on the future of each body.

Gerry Sutcliffe: None of these bodies employ staff. Support/secretariat services for each body are provided by DTI.
	The running costs of these bodies form part of DTFs overall expenditure. Expenditure on DTI sponsorship are listed in the following table.
	
		Running costs during 2003–04
		
			  £000 
		
		
			 Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission 221,918 
			 Low Pay Commission 658,141 
			 Small Business Investment Taskforce 60,000 
			 Women's National Commission 332,270. 
			 Information Age Partnership (4)— 
		
	
	(4) The running costs of the Information Age Partnership are not separately identifiable in DTFs Accounts.
	All the listed bodies are kept under review, in accordance with Government guidelines, to ensure that its functions are still required and that these bodies still provide the most effective means of carrying out those functions.

Public Bodies

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the membership is of the (a) Fuel Poverty Advisory Group, (b) Fuel Poverty Monitoring and Technical Group, (c) Industrial Development Advisory Board, (d) Intellectual Property Advisory Committee, (e) Investment Committee, (f) Measurement Advisory Committee, (g) Motorsport Competitiveness Panel, (h) National Policy Forum for Start-Ups, (i) regional industrial development boards, (j) Renewables Advisory Board, (k) Sector Analysis Strategy Committee and (l) Small Business Council; what the (i) cost of salaries and expenses to members and (ii) running cost of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and how many staff are employed to service each body.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Membership of existing bodies is listed. The Fuel Poverty Advisory Group is a group whose membership consists an appointed chairman and persons nominated by the representative bodies listed. The Sector Analysis Strategy Committee is an internal management committee consisting of DTI and Treasury officials and one representative from both the CBI and TUC. The running costs of these bodies form part of DTI's overall expenditure. None of the bodies employ staff. DTI staff service these bodies alongside a range of other duties but it is not possible to identify their numbers separately.
	Expenditure on DTI sponsorship during 2003–04 was:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 Fuel Poverty Advisory Group 20,000 
			 Industrial Development Advisory Board 38,000 
			 Intellectual Property Advisory Committee 67,262 
			 Regional Industrial Development Boards 107,640 
			 Measurement Advisory Committee 66,000 
			 Renewables Advisory Board 21,500 
			 Small Business Council 465,200 
		
	
	Other costs are not separately identifiable in DTF s accounts.
	The Motorsport Competitiveness Panel has closed.
	Members of the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group, Fuel Poverty Monitoring and Technical Group, Industrial Development Advisory Board, Measurement Advisory Committee, National Policy Forum for Start-Ups, regional industrial development boards, Renewables Advisory Board and Sector Analysis Strategy Committee are unpaid but entitled to claim expenses. Expenses claimed are not separately identifiable in DTI's accounts.
	Members of the Investment Committee and Small Business Council are paid £4,800 per annum and expenses. Expenses are not separately identifiable in DTI's accounts.
	Members of the Intellectual Property Advisory Committee receive an allowance of £135 for each day on which they attend meetings. The chair receives £1,500 per annum. All members are entitled to claim expenses. Expenses claimed are not separately identifiable in DTI's accounts.
	Fuel Poverty Advisory Group
	Peter Lehmann(Chair
	Association for the Conservation of Energy
	Centrica
	EAGA Partnership Ltd.
	Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes
	Energywatch
	Help the Aged
	Innogy
	Local Government Association
	National Energy Action
	National Heart Forum
	Powergen
	Presentation Housing Association
	Public Utilities Access Forum
	Transco
	Citizens Advice
	EDF Energy
	Fuel Poverty Monitoring and Technical Group
	William Baker
	Dave Barnes
	Dr. Marilyn Booth
	John Crouch
	Lesley Davies
	Julie Dunster
	Maxine Frerk
	Gretel Jones
	Phil Kear
	Diana Lowe
	Peter Matejic
	Diane Millen
	John Riley
	Sara Rusling
	Henry Small
	Elaine Waterson
	Daphne White
	Graham White
	Pam Wynne
	Industrial Development Advisory Board
	Peter Allen
	Michael Beverley
	Victor Blank
	Bridget Blow
	Brian Morrison Count
	Rosalind Hedley-Miller
	Karen Elisabeth Jones
	Gordon Page
	Swraj Paul
	lain Samuel Robertson
	Robert Swannell
	Juliet Susan Durrant Williams
	Intellectual Property Advisory Committee
	Richard Gallafent
	Mandy Haberman
	lan Harvey
	Roland Hill
	Paul Johnston
	Hector MacQueen
	Hilary Newiss
	David Perkins
	Tim Roberts
	Sandy Thomas
	David Vaver
	Investment Committee
	Jim Brathwaite
	Richard Maudslay
	Caroline Whitfield
	Fields Wicker-Miurin
	Measurement Advisory Committee
	Penny Allisy-Roberts
	Peter Bleasdale
	Michael Buckley
	Peter Cowley
	Les Ebdon
	David Ellix
	Richard Freeman
	Colin Gaskell
	Ken Grattan
	David Holmwood
	Alan Johnson
	Roger Jones
	John Latham
	Steve Lower
	Janet Townsend
	John Tyrer
	National Policy Forum for Start-Ups
	Janet Beecher
	Jeff Cooke
	Greg Chammings
	Jeremy Crook
	Valerie Culley
	Joy Danby
	George Derbyshire
	Mark Ferrero
	Philip Graham
	Lynda Grange
	Julie Hitchcock
	Pula Houghton
	Victoria Jonson
	Helen King
	Clive Lewis
	Kirstin Liddell
	Brian McCarthy
	Dennis Pattinson
	Emmeline Owens
	Stephen Pegge
	Tony Robinson
	Mei Shui
	Kevin Steele
	Malcolm C Taylor
	Alice Teague
	Erica Watson
	Regional Industrial Development Boards
	Eastern Region Industrial Development Board
	David Richard Baggott
	Alan Davies
	Robert Downing
	Sian Fytche
	Martin James Gould
	Keith Hamilton
	Terence Ralph Hill
	Fiona Hoskins
	Geoff Lambert
	Hugh Lawson
	Marilyn Martin
	Laurence John Russen
	Mike Smith
	London and South East Regional Industrial Development Board
	Thomas William Cohen
	Peter Edwin Croucher
	Praful Davda
	Bryan Davies
	Gill Gurbrinder
	Jim Hicks
	Wendy Hyde
	Shahzad Khan
	Mei Sim Lai
	John McCready
	Helen Sasson
	Inder Jeet Sodhi
	Robert Stiles
	Graeme Wyles
	North West Industrial Development Board
	Lorraine Clinton
	Duncan McLellan
	Raymond Charles McManus
	William Joseph Mullarkey
	Kirit Pathak
	Ruth Isabel Port
	David John Tunnicliff
	George Verghese
	Eva Wisemark
	Marcus Wood
	North East Industrial Development Board
	Lucy Armstrong
	Paul Donald Bartlett
	Subhash Chaudhary
	Christopher Gill
	William Graham
	Haani Ul Hasnain
	Carol Ann Hunter
	Dorothy Marshall
	Lorna Moran
	Anne Reece
	Simon Still
	Rod Taylor
	Kathryn Lucy Winskell
	South West Industrial Development Board
	Sue Astbury
	Ruth Bagley
	Alan Peter Courts
	John Crownshaw,
	lan Robert Douglas
	Gibson, Neville
	Hayman, Alan Neil
	Denise Major
	Richard Morgan
	Rama Warren Nand-Lal
	Victoria Pickering
	Nigel Randall
	Brian Sherwin
	Terence Alan Slater
	Barbara Spiers
	Yorkshire/Humberside and East Midlands, Industrial Development Board
	Neil Graham Adnitt
	Andrew Peter Bradley
	Christine Margaret Dunn
	David Arthur Garside
	James Alexander (Sandy) Gillan
	Zulfiqar Hussain
	Lumby,Gary
	Nigel Pritchard
	Terry George Richardson
	Michael Alan Sharp
	Edward Smith
	Mogg Stanners
	West Midlands Industrial Development Board
	Mark Day
	Lynne Marlane Evans
	David Grove
	Royston Jones
	David Lovatt
	Andrew Richard Manning-Cox
	Howard Marshall
	Peter Michael Matthews
	Paramjit Paul Singh
	Michael John Smith
	David John Waller
	Michael Wilson
	Renewables Advisory Board
	Tariq Ali
	Doug Coleman
	Tom Delay
	Robert Hastings
	Gearoid Lane
	Robert Leicester
	Jeremy Leggett
	Wilson Malone
	Alan Moore
	Chris Morris
	Ray Noble
	Simon Roberts
	David Still
	Patricia Thornley
	Dale Vince
	David James Williams
	David John Williams
	Jason Scagell
	Small Business Council
	William Sargent (Chair)
	Simon Bartley
	Sue Brownson
	Grant Burton
	Elsa Caleb
	Peter Donaldson
	Lorraine Gradwell
	Teresa Graham
	Paul Harrod
	Caroline Hughes
	Andrew Ive
	Scott Johnson
	John McLaren-Stewart
	Ilyas Patel
	Sally Preston
	Fiona Price
	Dr. John Reynolds
	Prof. Monder Ram
	Michael Robinson
	Louise Shafar
	Sean Taggart
	Simon Topman
	Jan Ward
	Candida Whitmill

Wind Farm

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects to make a decision on the application submitted in October 2003 by Renewable Energy Systems to build a wind farm in Kedby, North Lincolnshire; and if she will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: It is not yet possible to estimate when the process will conclude and a decision reached.

Benefit Claimants (Dagenham)

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) unemployed claimants and (b) long-term unemployed claimants there have been in the Dagenham constituency in each year since 1997.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Jon Cruddas, dated 11 January 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about unemployed claimants in Dagenham. I am replying in his absence. (207162)
	The attached table gives the total number of all Jobseeker's Allowance (ISA) claimants resident in the Dagenham Parliamentary Constituency for each year from 1997 to 2004. It also shows those claiming for over 12 months.
	
		JSA claimants resident in the Dagenham constituency—annual averages
		
			   All claimants of which: claiming for over 12 months(5) 
		
		
			 1997 2,226 855 
			 1998 1,824 430 
			 1999 1,715 480 
			 2000 1,572 440 
			 2001 1,404 320 
			 2002 1,438 235 
			 2003 1,596 250 
			 2004(6) 1,754 270 
		
	
	(5) Computerised claims only, rounded to the nearest 5.
	(6) Average over 11 months.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus administrative system

Communities' Staff (Pensions)

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Council Decision (a) supports and (b) authorises the accounting entry for Long Term Pensions Liabilities of Communities' Staff (C294 volume 47, 30th November, p.65).

Stephen Timms: The Financial Regulation (Council Regulation 1605/2002) requires the Commission to keep accounting records. The Staff Regulation (Council Regulation 723/2004 amending the Staff Regulation) governs the funding of the pension scheme for civil servants of the European institutions. Both these regulations were approved by all member states and the European Parliament.

Departmental Staff

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the staff employed by his Department have a declared disability.

Stephen Timms: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the civil service by Department. These include data on the number who have declared a disability.
	The latest available information at April 2004 is available in the Library and on the civil service website and the following address:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management information/statistical information/statistics/publications/xls/disability apr04 4nov04.xls.

Departmental Staff

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many women there are in senior positions in his Department.

Stephen Timms: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the civil service by Department. These include data on the number of women in senior positions in Departments.
	The latest available information at April 2004 is available in the Library and on the civil service website and the following address:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management information/statistical information/statistics/publications/xls/gender apr04 4nov04.xls.

E-mails

Sue Doughty: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's policy is in relation to the storage and deletion of e-mails; and whether this policy has been reviewed in the past 12 months.

Stephen Timms: E-mail messages that form part of the official record are saved for as long as business needs require and stored corporately in accordance with departmental record management procedures. This policy has not been reviewed in the last 12 months. Further email guidance is available on the National Archives website at.
	http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/electronicrecords/advice/pdf/managing emails.pdf

EU Funding

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 9 December 2004, Official Report, column 653W, on EU funding, what the sum total is to date in real terms that has not been signed off by the Court of Auditors, broken down by year; and what the UK percentage share of the total EU budget was for each year.

Stephen Timms: It is important to note that the failure of any part of the Community Budget to gain a positive Statement of Assurance does not mean that the whole of that part of the budget was mis-spent. Rather, it means that the European Court of Auditors found errors in the sample audited in that year.
	The figures for the years 1992 onwards (when the annual Statement of Assurance was introduced), showing the total for each year and the sum total to date, and the UK's percentage share, are as follows:
	
		
			  Total budget not signed off (£ million)(7) Percentage UK contribution2 (Post-abatement) 
		
		
			 1992 40,797 11.91 
			 1993 47,368 11.92 
			 1994 43,903 10.00 
			 1995 51,627 13.64 
			 1996 58,388 11.56 
			 1997 52,055 11.86 
			 1998 51,286 15.24 
			 1999 49,896 13.43 
			 2000 47,952 15.76 
			 2001 46,719 9.59 
			 2002 49,161 13.07 
			 2003 60,854 11.92 
			 Total budget not signed off (1992 to 2003) 600,006 – 
		
	
	(7) Taken from data published in Table 1A of respective European Community Finances White Papers, less administrative expenditure (also less pre-accession aid expenditure in 2002). Latest White Paper (Cm 6134) (ISBN 0–10–161342–3) was published on 22 April 2004 and the figures for the period 1999 to 2003 have been taken from this.
	(8) Calculated from data published in European Commission Reports on the Allocation of EU Operating Expenditure.

EU Funding

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2004, Official Report, columns 869–70W, on EU Funding, whether the list of (a) recipients, (b) awards and (c) projects funded under B3 budget lines is publicly available; what auditing takes place of those budget lines; and if he will undertake to deposit in the Library such listings across the B3 range where they are not publicly available.

Stephen Timms: Some B3 budget lines directly fund named organisations. For the majority of these lines, lists of recipients of funding, awards made and projects supported are not publicly available. Appropriations for each budget line are set out in the annual EC Budget which is deposited in the Library of the House.
	The European Court of Auditors (EGA) audits the EC Budget on an annual basis, and the EGA may decide to issue a special report on particular activities—a list of these reports is published at the back of the ECA's latest annual report (which has been deposited). Recipients of EU funding will be subject to the accounting and reporting rules of the member state in which they are based and may be subject to individual audits.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what agreement concerning what proportion of debt has been reached in respect of write-off of Iraq's debts for which non-state actors are creditors; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The Paris Club of official creditors agreed on 21 November 2004 to write-off 80 per cent. of Iraq's debt. This agreement with Iraq contains a provision that requires Iraq to seek comparable treatment from all non-Paris Club creditors, including private creditors. The Iraqi authorities are responsible for those negotiations.

Millennium Development Goals

Tom Brake: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of alternative financing instruments that could be utilised for raising the finance required for meeting the millennium development goals in the event that insufficient funds are committed to the International Finance Facility.

Stephen Timms: UK official development assistance will increase to £6.4 billion by 2008, reaching 0.47 per cent. of national income. On this timetable, if current rates of growth are maintained the UK will reach the UN target of 0.7 per cent. ODA as a share of GNI by 2013. The UK encourages other countries not yet at this target to set a timetable towards achieving it.
	But to meet the millennium development goals an additional $50 billion of aid is needed immediately, and this scale of resources is far beyond what traditional funding can offer today. That is why the UK has put forward its proposal for a new international finance facility.
	The UK will continue to look at other means of increasing development aid, and welcomes the recent findings of the Landau Report and Report on Action against Hunger and Poverty which call for further work to be done on the options for providing the resources needed for fighting poverty in the longer-term, including international taxes, special drawing rights and voluntary mechanisms.

Ovarian Cancer

Ian Gibson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many incidences of ovarian cancer there have been in the last five years.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated 11 January 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many incidences of ovarian cancer there have been in the last five years. I am replying in his absence. (207084)
	The latest year for which figures are available is 2001. The number of newly diagnosed cases of ovarian cancer registered in England, for the 5 years 1997–2001 are given in the table below along with the directly age-standardised rates. 1
	
		Number of newly diagnosed cases and directly age-standardised rates(9)of ovarian(10)cancer in England, 1997–2001 Per 100,000 population
		
			  Number of cases Age-standardised rate 
		
		
			 1997 5,617 18.8 
			 1998 5,581 18.7 
			 1999 5,435 17.8 
			 2000 5,400 17.5 
			 2001 5,635 18.1 
		
	
	(9) Age-standardised rates are directly standardised to the European standard population. These control for differences in the age structure of the population so as to present incidence rates on a comparable basis over time.
	(10) International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code C56.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Stamp Duty

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what projections he made for revenue from stamp duty on (a) property and (b) share transactions in each of the last five years; and what projections he has made for each of the next three financial years.

Stephen Timms: Estimates of the revenue from stamp duty on both property and share transactions in each of the last five financial years up to and including 2003–04 are given at
	http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/stamp duty/ tablel5 l september04.pdf
	Estimated and projected revenues for total stamp taxes in 2004–05 and 2005–06 are published in table B13 of the pre-Budget 2004 report. The breakdown between duty on land and property (Stamp Duty Land Tax) and share transactions is as follows:
	
		
			   £ billion 
			  2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Stamp Duty Land Tax 6.2 6.6 
			 Stamp Taxes on Shares 2.6 3.0

Unemployment (Hertfordshire)

Claire Ward: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the level of unemployment in (a) Watford constituency and (b) South West Hertfordshire constituency in (i) 1995 and (ii) 2004.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Ms Claire Ward, dated 11 January 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment. I am replying in his absence. (207570)
	Table 1 provides the available information requested in the Watford and South West Hertfordshire Parliamentary Constituencies for the twelve-month periods ending February 1997, the earliest period for which information is available, and February 2004, the most recent available period.
	These estimates from the Labour Force Survey are, as with any sample survey, subject to sampling variability.
	ONS also compiles statistics of those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for local areas.
	Table 2 gives the annual average number of people resident in the Watford and South West Hertfordshire constituencies claiming Jobseeker's Allowance benefits in 1995 and 2004.
	
		Table 1: Unemployed people resident in the Watford andSouth West Hertfordshire parliamentary constituencies Thousand
		
			 12 months ending February each year Watford South West Hertfordshire 
		
		
			 1997 4 3 
			 2004 2 2 
		
	
	Note:
	LFS estimates for small areas such as Parliamentary Constituencies are particularly subject to sampling variability because of the small size of the survey samples for local areas. They should therefore be treated with caution and, in particular, changes from year to year should not be used in isolation from the figures for a run of years.
	Source:
	ONS, Labour Force Survey
	
		Table 2: JSA claimants resident in the Watford andSouth West Hertfordshire constituencies
		
			  Annual averages 
			  Watford South West Hertfordshire 
		
		
			 1995 3,063 2,143 
			 2004 (Average over 11 months) 1,089 658 
		
	
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus Administrative system.

Disabilities

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many of the staff employed by her Department have a declared disability.

Derek Twigg: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the civil service by Department. These include data on the number of staff who have a declared disability.
	The latest available information at April 2004 is available in the Library and on the civil service website at the following addresses:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management information/statistical information/statistics/publications/xls/disability apr04 4nov04.xls.

Higher Education

Keith Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of students aged 18 years who entered higher education in the academic year 2002/03 were resident in (a) the City of Manchester and (b) Manchester, Withington constituency.

Kim Howells: holding answer 10 January 2005
	The latest available information is taken from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record. Information on the parliamentary constituency of a student is derived from the student's postcode 1 .
	
		
			  Domicile  Number Percentage of UK domiciled 18-year-old entrants 
		
		
			 City of Manchester(12) 600 0.4 
			 Manchester, Withington constituency 190 0.1 
			 All UK 152,210 100.0 
		
	
	(11) Based on 18-year-olds who have a known postcode. In 2002/03, around 2 per cent. of UK domiciles could not be allocated to a constituency using the postcode information held.
	(12) Defined as those students domiciled in the constituencies: Manchester Blackley, Manchester Central, Manchester Gorton and Manchester Withington.
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency Student Record

Higher Education

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils from the Dagenham constituency have entered higher education in each of the last 15 years.

Kim Howells: The available information is taken from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record. Information on the parliamentary constituency domicile of a student is derived from the students' postcode.
	
		18-year-old undergraduate entrants to UK HE institutions from Dagenham constituency
		
			 Academic year Entrants 
		
		
			 1997/98(13) 80 
			 1998/99 90 
			 1999/2000 80 
			 2000/01 85 
			 2001/02 95 
			 2002/03 100 
		
	
	(13) Figures for 1997/98 do not include entrants at the Open University as these cannot be identified on the dataset.
	Note:
	Figures are based upon a snapshot as at 1 December for 18-year-olds who have a known postcode. In each year, around 2–3 per cent. of UK domiciled students did not have sufficient postcode information to allow them to be allocated to a constituency. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record

Senior Women

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many women there are in senior positions in her Department.

Derek Twigg: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the Civil Service by Department. These include data on the number of women in senior positions in Departments.
	The latest available information at April 2004 is available in the Library and on the civil service website at the following address:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management information/statistical information/statistics/publications/xls/gender apr04 4nov04.xls.

Sixth Forms

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the post-16 participation rates were of pupils attending (a) schools without a sixth form and (b) schools with a sixth form, by socio-economic grouping in the last year for which figures are available.

Ivan Lewis: The following table shows participation rates for 16-year-olds in 2002 by parental socio-economic status for people who were in maintained schools in year 11 in 2000/01. Rates are provided for (i) full-time education and (ii) education and training. Figures are only available for pupils who were in maintained schools in year 11.
	
		Partic ipation rates of 16-year-olds in 2002 Percentage
		
			  Participation in full-time education Participation in education and training(14) 
			 Parental occupation (NS-SEC) Maintained schools without sixth form Maintained schools with sixth form Maintained schools without sixth form Maintained schools with sixth form 
		
		
			 Higher professional 81 86 93 94 
			 Lower professional 73 79 88 89 
			 Intermediate 65 68 80 82 
			 Lower supervisory 55 59 77 77 
			 Routine 57 60 75 77 
			 Other 63 63 77 77 
			 Total 66 70 82 84 
		
	
	(14) Education and training includes those in full-time education; Government Supported Training; in employment with training; or in other education and training.
	Source:
	Youth Cohort Study, Cohort 11

Departmental Policies

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency of his Department's policies since 8 June 2001.

Chris Pond: We have undertaken a fundamental overhaul of the welfare system, transforming it to an active system that fights poverty, creates opportunity and helps people become self-sufficient and independent.
	Since 2001 the Government have significantly extended and improved civil rights for disabled people in areas such as employment, education, access to goods and services and transport. Disabled people in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland will have benefited from these improvements in disability rights. Similarly families with severely disabled 3 and 4-year-old children who are unable, or virtually unable, to walk will have benefited from the Government's decision to lower the minimum age entitlement to the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance from April 2001, whilst older and less well-off carers have gained extra help through the provisions within the National Carers Strategy.
	Through Jobcentre Plus, we are promoting work as the best form of welfare for people of working age. The number of people in work is at historically high levels of over 28.39 million; in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, the proportion in employment has risen to 68.1 per cent.
	Our New Deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, disabled people, the over-50s and partners of unemployed people to move from benefit into work. Nationally over 1.1 million people have been helped into work by the New Deals, with over 2,890 in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland alone.
	Significant progress has been made in eradicating child poverty and the latest figures for 2002–03 show that there were over half a million fewer children in relative low income than there were in 1996–97. Since 2001–02 incomes for lone parents in receipt of benefit have risen by more than prices or the cost of living. In April 2005 the child allowance rate in income support for a child up to 18 years old will have been increased by 40 per cent. since 2001–02. Child rates in income support and jobseeker's allowance are also being increased above inflation in April 2005 in line with child tax credit upratings. All of this has benefited 2,200 families in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.
	We want all pensioners to have a decent and secure income in retirement and to share fairly in the rising prosperity of the country and our first priority has been to help the poorest pensioners. The Government will be spending nearly £10 billion more in 2004–05 (in 2004–05 prices) on pensioners as a result of measures introduced since 1997, with around half going to the poorest third.
	Our reforms include the state second pension, which helps more future pensioners build up better pensions, especially carers. Pension credit, introduced from October 2003, provides a contribution to a guaranteed minimum income for those aged 60 and over and, for the first time, those aged 65 and over may be rewarded for savings and income. Around 5,000 pensioners in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland are receiving pension credit, with an average award of £37.31 per week.
	We know that older people are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty. This winter (2004–05) we have again made available a winter fuel payment of £200 for each eligible household with someone aged 60 or over, to help with their fuel bills. The additional 80+ Annual Payment gives an extra £100 to eligible households where there is someone aged 80 or over. Last winter there were 13,740 households in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland which received the winter fuel payment and, of those, 2,885 households received the additional Annual Payment. We expect numbers to be similar for this winter (2004–05).
	Additionally for this year eligible households with someone aged 70 or over will receive the One-off 70+ Payment of £100 to help with living expenses including council tax bills. It will be paid with the winter fuel payment and last winter there were 7,970 households in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland with someone aged 70 or over which received a winter fuel payment. We expect a similar number to receive the One-off 70+ Payment this winter (2004–05).
	Some 17,800 pensioners in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland benefited from the above inflation increase in the rate of basic state pension from April 2003. Those over 75, of whom we estimate there are about 7,000 in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, may also qualify for free TV licences.
	In 2002–03 we estimate there were around 10 million adults (22 per cent.) and 0.7 million children (5 per cent.) in Great Britain likely to be covered by the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
	The figures can be broken down to regional level which shows that 29 per cent. of adults and 6 per cent. of children in the North East are likely to be covered by the provisions of the DDA.
	Information on the numbers of customers in the North East who are in receipt of disability living allowance (DLA) and attendance allowance (AA) is in the following table. This information is not available at constituency level.
	
		North East
		
			 Operational year DLA/AA recipients 
		
		
			 2001 208,000 
			 2002 213,000 
			 2003 219,000 
			 2004 224,000 
		
	
	Source:
	DWP Information Centre. Figures are from a 5 per cent. sample at 31 May each year.

Income Support

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) male and (b) female recipients of income support, excluding minimum income guarantees and pension credit there have been in each year since 1979.

Chris Pond: The information is in the following table:
	
		Income support claimants and supplementary benefit claimants by gender
		
			  Male Female 
		
		
			 1979 572,000 560,000 
			 1980 798,000 625,000 
			 1981 1,233,000 752,000 
			 1982 1,591,000 895,000 
			 1983 1,714,000 984,000 
			 1984 1,856,000 1,070,000 
			 1985(15) Not available Not available 
			 1986 2,017,000 1,204,000 
			 1987 1,912,000 1,256,000 
			 1988 1,403,000 1,229,000 
			 1989 1,317,000 1,237,000 
			 1990 1,245,000 1,261,000 
			 1991 1,527,000 1,385,000 
			 1992 1,880,000 1,565,000 
			 1993 2,096,000 1,694,000 
			 1994 2,136,200 1,753,400 
			 1995 2,089,900 1,796,900 
			 1996(16) 1,982,700 1,799,600 
			 1997(16) 765,400 1,472,900 
			 1998 762,900 1,431,400 
			 1999 765,900 1,424,600 
			 2000 783,000 1,413,000 
			 2001 798,400 1,412,900 
			 2002 791,900 1,391,800 
			 2003 801,600 1,402,500 
			 2004 784,300 1,375,600 
		
	
	(15) Numbers are not available due to industrial action.
	(16) Unemployed claimants are included in the figures up to and including 1996. Income support for the unemployed was replaced by income-based jobseeker's allowance in October 1996.
	Note:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand up to and including 1993 and to the nearest hundred thereafter.
	2. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	3. Income support replaced supplementary benefit in April 1988.
	4. Excludes pensioners which are defined as follows:
	Up to and including 1987, pensioners are defined as claimants of pensionable age. From 1988 pensioners are defined as benefit units where either the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 or over
	5. Numbers are based on sample data and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.
	6. All estimates relate to a point in time. For 1979 the month of the inquiry was November, for 1980 to 1984 the month was December, for 1986 the month was February, 1987 to 2004 was May.
	Source:
	DWP Information Centre, 1 per cent. and 5 per cent. samples.

Seamounds

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she has taken for the protection and management of Seamounds as referred to in her letter of 9 September to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, reference 20272/JF.

Ben Bradshaw: The UK is continuing to work through the EU and other international fora to improve the management and protection of the marine environment. The need for additional protection for seamounts will be an element in these considerations.
	Recently, all North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission contracting parties supported the Norwegian proposal to ban all fishing, apart from pelagic trawling in four seamounts (Hecate, Altair, Antialair, and Faraday seamounts, as well as a section of the Reykjanes Ridge). A fifth, for Hatton Bank, awaits further scientific advice.

Waste

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much liquid hazardous waste was deposited in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000 in merchant landfill sites' proprietary landfills in the year before such landfilling was banned; and where and how such liquid hazardous waste is now being treated.

Elliot Morley: Data for liquid special waste deposited in landfills to the nearest tonne were recorded as follows for each of the years indicated:
	
		Liquid special waste sent to landfill (tonnes)
		
			  
		
		
			 2000 142,227 
			 2001 139,362 
			 2002 (17)63,850 
		
	
	(17) Up until the ban of hazardous liquid disposal by landfill came into force in July 2002. Data for 1998 and 1999 are not immediately available
	Since the ban on hazardous liquid disposal by landfill came into force typical treatments for hazardous liquid wastes will have included physico-chemical treatment and biological treatment processes.
	These use techniques such as precipitation, coagulation and filtration with subsequent dewatering of sludges and disposal of treated non-hazardous liquids to sewer with appropriate discharge consents. Some high temperature incineration and or use as a fuel may also have been employed where the waste either was of a sufficiently high calorific value or could not otherwise be treated. No figures are currently available that indicate the amounts sent to each method. The total amount of hazardous liquid waste sent for treatment recorded for 2003 was 1,964,911 tonnes.

Waste

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many sites registered as exempt with the Environment Agency were visited by officers of the Environment Agency in (a) 1999, (b) 2000, (c) 2001, (d) 2002 and (e) 2003.

Elliot Morley: The number of visits made to exempt sites between 1999–2000 and 2003–04 is given as follows. No information is held on the number of individual sites inspected.
	
		
			  Visits 
		
		
			 1999–2000 (18)4,527 
			 2000–01 (18)3,333 
			 2001–02 (19)3,202 
			 2002–03 (20)3,168 
			 2003–04 (20)4,306 
		
	
	(18) Only to scrap metal sites and those involving the final deposit of waste on land
	(19) Only to scrap metal sites, those involving the final deposit of waste on land and landspreading
	(20) All exemptions

Asylum Seekers

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unaccompanied minors claiming asylum in England have been placed under the care of local authority social services in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: holding answer 21 December 2004
	The information requested is not available. The table shows total number of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children who applied for asylum in the United Kingdom.
	
		Unaccompanied children1, 2, 3 aged 17 or under, applying for asylum in the UK, 1997 to 2003
		
			  Number of principal applicants 
		
		
			 1997 1,105 
			 1998 3,035 
			 1999(24) 3,350 
			 2000(24) 2,735 
			 2001(24) 3,470 
			 2002(25) 6,200 
			 20035, 6 3,180 
		
	
	(21) Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
	(22) Unaccompanied at point of arrival, aged (or if no proof) determined to be 17 or under and not known to be joining a relative or guardian in the United Kingdom.
	(23) Figures exclude disputed age cases.
	(24) May exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices.
	(25) Not comparable with manual counts data prior to 2002.
	(26) Provisional figures.
	While awaiting the outcome of their asylum claims unaccompanied asylum seeking minors are not entitled to state benefits and are supported under the Children Act 1989 with maintenance and accommodation being provided by Social Services Departments of the Local Authorities. Information on asylum applications and removals are published quarterly on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Building Regulations

Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought in each year since 2000 for breach of building regulations.

Paul Goggins: It is not possible from the statistics collected centrally on the Home Office court proceedings database to separately identify those defendants proceeded against for breach of building regulations from other offences under the Building Act 1984.
	However, the number of defendants proceeded against for various offences under the Building Act 1984 are shown in the following table.
	
		Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences under the Building Act 1984,England and Wales 2000 to 20031
		
			   Proceeded against 
			 Offence description Principal statute 20002 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Various offences related to building regulations including breach of building regulations Building Act 1984 SS 3,19, 23, 25, 35, 61, 68, 72, 77, 85, 96, 99 and 112 148 105 100 95 
			 Public Health Offences related to Building Act 1984—various offences Building Act 1984 SS 11, 52, 63, 73, 74 8 14 3 10 
			 Other summary offences(29) Building Act 1984 sec. 71(4) (30)— (30)— (30)— (30)— 
			 Other indictable offences Building Act 1984 sec. 57 4 — — — 
		
	
	(27) These data are on a principle offence basis.
	(28) Staffordshire police force were only able to submit sample data for persons proceeded against and convicted in the magistrates courts for the year 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table.
	(29) Persons proceeded against for other summary offences under the Building Act 1984 cannot be separately identified on the Home Office court proceedings database as they form part of a miscellaneous group which cannot be analysed.
	(30) Not available.
	Statistics for 2004 will be available in autumn 2005.

Correspondence

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his officials at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will reply to the letter of 10 March about a constituent of the hon. Member for Vauxhall, Home Office reference: W1009436.

Des Browne: The Immigration Nationality Directorate wrote to my hon. Friend on 5 January 2005.

Crime Statistics (York)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) burglaries of dwellings, (b) vehicle crimes, (c) crimes in total and (d) arrests there were in the City of York between (i) April and December 2004 and (ii) April and December 2003; what the detection rate was in each category in these periods; and what the percentage change in each was between the two periods.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 10 January 2005
	Information on the number of recorded offences for the City of York relates to the York Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) area. Statistics at CDRP level are only published on a calendar basis. Figures covering 2002–03 and 2003–04 are available on the Home Office website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs04/cdrptabs.xls
	Detections data is available at Basic Command Unit (BCD) level but not at CDRP level. The City of York comes within the Central BCU and the statistics are only published on a calendar year basis. They are available on the website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs04/bcu1.xls
	Arrests data is only collected at police force area level and by offence group only.

Immigration Offences

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions have been secured in each of the last four quarters for which data is available for offences under section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.

Paul Goggins: The information contained in the table gives the number of defendants proceeded against and found guilty at all courts for offences under the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, Section 8, England and Wales 2003.
	
		Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts(31) under the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, Sec 8, England and Wales 2003
		
			 Quarter Proceeded against Found guilty 
		
		
			 January to March — — 
			 April to June 1 1 
			 July to September — — 
			 October to December 1 — 
			 Total 2 1 
		
	
	(31) These data are on the principal immigration offence basis.

Prisoner Escape (Stafford)

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the escape of three prisoners from Stafford Prison on 8 December.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 14 December 2004
	Three prisoners escaped from Stafford prison at approximately 16:00 hrs on 8 December 2004. The prisoners had gained access to a workshop roof from where they were able to escape. The prisoners were spotted in the vicinity of the prison by an off duty prison officer. A full roll check confirmed their absence and the incident immediately reported to the police.
	One of the prisoners was recaptured by police on 9 December and a second on 10 December. One remains unlawfully at large. The two prisoners who have been recaptured are each serving seven years for robbery.
	The third is serving three years and six months for burglary. All are Category C prisoners. An internal investigation into the incident is currently under way.

Prisons

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) women and (b) men were being held in prison on 12 March; how many prisoners were released on early release on 12 March; how many prisoners were eligible for early release on 12 March; and how many prisoners were released on 12 March.

Paul Goggins: On 12 March 2004 there were 4,569 females and 70,451 males being held in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales. There were an estimated 175 prisoners with a sentence length of three months to less than four years whose Home Detention Curfew (HOC) eligibility date was 12 March 2004. On that date, 77 prisoners were actually released on HDC.
	Some prisoners with a sentence length of three months to less than four years do not quality for HDC because of the nature of their current or previous offences.
	In addition, the figure of 175 will exclude a small number of prisoners in the population who were on remand at the time of the count, but were subsequently sentenced to a custodial sentence suitable for HOC and whose HOC eligibility date falls on 12 March 2004. This occurs when they have spent a significant period on remand.
	A further 623 prisoners were discharged by other means on 12 March 2004, not including discharges following recall after release on licence, fine defaulters and non-criminals.

Probation Service

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been carried out of the 2001 national probation service reforms.

Paul Goggins: The changes introduced by the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2000 and implemented from April 2001 were overseen by the Directory General of the National Probation Service (NPS) based within the Home Office.
	The overall three year change programme was set out in a strategic document, "A New Choreography". The Office of Government Commerce independently reviewed the initial programme in October 2001. They commended the restructure and noted early performance improvements.
	Since 2001, service-wide performance improvements have continued and these are monitored in regular quarterly NPS performance reports, which have been made publicly available since March 2003.
	Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation—who reports independently to Ministers on the work and performance of the NPS—has covered a number of issues relevant to the restructuring, such as governance, probation officer training, race equality and IT in recent reports. The Inspectorate's Effective Supervision Inspection programme examines the quality and effectiveness of work by probation areas in the NPS. All Inspectorate reports are published.

Sex Offenders

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) sex offenders and (b) other offenders have absconded from (i) HMP Leyhill and (ii) HMP North Camp since 1999.

Paul Goggins: The information is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Total absconds Sex offenders 
		
		
			 HMP Leyhill   
			 1999 11 1 
			 2000 19 2 
			 2001 20 0 
			 2002 39 3 
			 2003 102 2 
			 2004 (to date) 93 1 
			
			 HMP North Sea Camp   
			 1999 31 1 
			 2000 20 0 
			 2001 44 0 
			 2002 33 2 
			 2003 72 0 
			 2004 (to date) 39 0

Young Offenders

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people aged under 18 years were received into prison (a) under sentence and (b) on remand in (i) 2003, (ii) 2002 and (iii) 2001.

Paul Goggins: The number of receptions of young people aged under 18 years into prison establishments, as recorded on the Prison Service central IT system, is provided in the table.
	Young people aged under 18 are also held outside of prison establishments in Secure Training Centres and Local Authority Secure Children's Homes.
	
		Receptions into prison establishments of persons aged under 18, by year of reception and custody type(32): England and Wales
		
			  Remand Immediate custodial sentence 
		
		
			 2001 4,978 5,903 
			 2002 5,427 5,738 
			 2003 5,138 4,918 
		
	
	(32) Total receptions cannot be calculated by adding together receptions in each category, because there is double counting.

Young Offenders

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many black and minority ethnic young men aged 18 to 21 years were received into prison in 2002 (a) under sentence and (b) on remand.

Paul Goggins: The requested information, as recorded on the Prison Service Central IT system, is provided in the table.
	
		Receptions(33) into prison establishments of males aged 18 to 21 years, by custody type, age at reception and ethnic group: England and Wales, 2002
		
			  Age 
			  18 19 20 21 
		
		
			 Remand: 
			 White 3,479 3,745 3,731 3,654 
			 Black 611 631 639 594 
			 South Asian 126 133 146 201 
			 Chinese and other 224 226 234 233 
			 Unrecorded 1 7 3 6 
			  
			 Immediate custodial sentence:  
			 White 3,180 4,035 3,958 3,877 
			 Black 414 467 471 474 
			 South Asian 131 139 155 224 
			 Chinese and other 148 199 199 203 
			 Unrecorded 2 7 7 4 
		
	
	(33) Total receptions cannot be calculated by adding together receptions in each category, because there is double counting.

Antidepressants

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on (a) smoking cessation and (b) assistance for people wishing to withdraw from antidepressant medication in each of the past five financial years.

Rosie Winterton: The national health service stop smoking services, formerly smoking cessation services, were launched in the health action zones (HAZs) in 1999–2000, with services rolled out across the NHS in 2000–01.
	The table shows financial allocations to the NHS stop smoking services from 1999–2000 to date.
	
		
			  Allocations (£ million) 
		
		
			 1999–2000 (34)10 
			 2000–01 20 
			 2001–02 23 
			 2002–03 23 
			 2003–04 41 
			 2004–05 46 
		
	
	(34) HAZ only
	Assistance for people wishing to withdraw from antidepressant medication is available from their clinicians and any support is provided as part of routine mainstream services.
	The Department is funding a project run by MIND called Coping With Coming Off (Information and Support for Drug Withdrawal). The project will systematically explore people's experiences of coming off or trying to come off psychiatric drugs with the aim of improving the understanding of what makes withdrawal more or less likely to be successful.
	Amounts of funding are shown in the table.
	
		MIND—Section 64 Funding
		
			  Amount (£) 
		
		
			 2003–04 50,000 
			 2004–05 50,000

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions for (a) Ritalin and (b) methylphenidate were written in (i) 2002–03 and (ii) 2003–04.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 10 January 2004
	The table shows the total number of prescription items (in thousands) of the chemical entity methylphenidate hydrochloride dispensed in the community in England in 2002–03 and 2003–04. The data covers the chemical entity methylphenidate hydrochloride, rather than just Ritalin. Ritalin is one brand of the drug methylphenidate.
	
		Number of prescription items (in thousands) of the chemical entity methylphenidate hydrochloride that were dispensed in the community in England in 2002–03 and 2003–04, by product
		
			  Number pf prescription items (thousands) Percentage of total items 
			 Product 2002–03 2003–04 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Ritalin 150.8 119.6 56 36 
			 Concerta 71.0 151.9 26 46 
			 Equasym 48.9 57.0 18 17 
			 Others 0.5 0.7 0 0 
			 Total for chemical entity methylphenidate hydrochloride 271.3 329.3 100 (35)100 
		
	
	(35) Due to rounding, figures may not add up to 100

Departmental Costs

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost to (a) his Department and (b) the NHS of (i) theft and (ii) fraud in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Estimates for the cost of theft and total theft in the national health service in England are not available. Estimated figures on fraud levels across the whole NHS in England are not available. However, the NHS counter fraud service (NHS CFS) has an ongoing programme of specialist risk measurement exercises, which is designed to reveal levels of losses and, through repeated exercises, achieve reductions. These exercises concentrated on patient fraud. The tables show the results and are accurate to within plus or minus one per cent. of the losses measured in each of the patient exercises.
	
		
			  £ million 
			 Year data selected Fraud losses 
		
		
			 Pharmaceutical patient fraud  
			 1998–99 117.00 
			 1999–2000 69.00 
			 2002–03 47.00 
			   
			 Dental patient fraud  
			 1999–2000 40.30 
			 2000–01 30.00 
			   
			 Optical patient fraud  
			 1999–2000 13.25 
			 2001–02 10.17 
		
	
	Total patient fraud losses have reduced from approximately £170 million to £87 million per year, a reduction of 49 per cent., since the creation of the NHS CFS in 1998.
	For the Department, recorded losses through fraud and theft are shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  £000 
			  (36)Fraud and theft losses 
		
		
			 1997–98 61.42 
			 1998–99 66.90 
		
	
	(36) For these years, recorded data are for fraud and theft losses combined
	
		
			  £000 
			  Fraud losses 
		
		
			 1999–2000 3.06 
			 2000–01 0.00 
			 2001–02 0.15 
			 2002–03 38.31 
			 2003–04 29.08 
		
	
	
		
			  £000 
			  Theft losses 
		
		
			 1999–2000 45.09 
			 2000–01 56.83 
			 2001–02 34.71 
			 2002–03 35.59 
			 2003–04 (37)( 
		
	
	(37) Not yet available
	In my response to a similar question from the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Prisk), Official Report, 18 November 2004, column 1992W, I provided information on fraud in the Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). The figures quoted for the Department for the years 1999–2003 included both theft and fraud rather than just fraud.
	The answer should have read as follows.
	Table 2 shows figures for fraud, provided by the NHS counter fraud and security management service.
	
		Table 2
		
			  Department Agencies NDPBs Total 
		
		
			 1997–98 61,415 1,461 10,458 73,334 
			 1998–99 66,897 0 6,903 73,800 
			 1999–2000 3,055 3,493 2,739 9,287 
			 2000–01 0 0 6,582 6,582 
			 2001–02 150.00 1,706 12,131 13,987 
			 2002–03 38,307 0 0 38,307 
			 2003–04 29,082 (38)168,307 22,259 219,648 
		
	
	(38) From MHRA this includes a stolen cheque for £162,000, which should be reimbursed by the bank. The case is in the hands of their lawyers. This was included in the 2003–04 Her Majesty's Treasury fraud return.
	I have written to the hon. Member to apologise for this error and have placed a copy of that letter in the Library.

Departmental Policies

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency of his Department's policies since 8 June 2001.

Melanie Johnson: The Government have put in place a programme of national health service investment and reform since 1997 to improve service delivery in all parts of the United Kingdom. There is significant evidence that these policies have yielded considerable benefits for the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency.
	For example:
	At the end of October 2004, there were no people waiting more than nine months for in-patient treatment at the South Tees Hospitals National Health Service Trust, while in 1997 there were a total of 1,145 waiting more than nine months in the predecessor trusts, the South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust and the Northallerton Health Services NHS Trust. In June 2001, there was a total of 785 waiting more than nine months.
	At the end of September 2004, there were 1,033 patients waiting over 13 weeks for out-patient treatment the South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, while in 1997 there were a total of 986 waiting more than 26 weeks in the predecessor trusts. In June 2001, there was a total of 1,150 waiting more than 26 weeks.
	At the end of October 2004, there were no people waiting more than nine months for in-patient treatment within Langbaurgh Primary Care Trust (PCT), a fall from 210 in June 2002.
	At the end of October 2004, there were no people waiting more than nine months for in-patient treatment within Middesbrough PCT, a fall from 324 in June 2002.
	At the end of September 2004, the number of patients waiting over 13 weeks for out-patient treatment within Langbaurgh PCT has fallen to 111 from 387 in June 2002.
	At the end of September 2004, the number of patients waiting over 13 weeks for out-patient treatment within Middlesbrough PCT has fallen to 277 from 836 in June 2002.
	In September 2002, at South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, 92.5 per cent. of patients spent less than four hours in accident and emergency from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge. Figures for September 2004 show an improvement to 97.3 per cent.
	Between September 2002 and June 2004, the number of consultants at South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust has increased from 236 to 264. The predecessor trusts had a total of 200 consultants in 1997.
	Between September 2002 and September 2003, the number of nurses at South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust has increased from 2,127 to 2,296. The predecessor trusts had a total of 2,077 nurses in 1997.
	Figures for October 2004 show that all patients within Langbaurgh PCT are able to be offered an appointment with a primary care professional within two working days.
	Figures for October 2004 show that all patients within Middlesbrough PCT are able to be offered appointment with a primary care professional within two working days.
	In the Middlesbrough Unitary Authority area death rates from cancer per 100,000 population have fallen from 245 in 1997 to 225.2 in 2001 and to 219.8 in 2003. In the Redcar and Cleveland unitary authority area death rates from cancer per 100,000 population have fallen from 243.2 in 1997 to 208.2 in 2001 and 194.8 in 2003.
	In the Middlesbrough Unitary Authority area, death rates from coronary heart disease per 100,000 population have fallen from 206.8 in 1997 to 173.4 in 2001 and 133.8.8 in 2003. In the Redcar and Cleveland Unitary Authority area death rates from coronary heart disease per 100,000 population have fallen from 193.3 in 1997 to 135.9 in 2001 and 141.4 in 2003.
	Langbaurgh PCT's allocation has risen to £105.1 million for 2004–05, a cash increase of 6.9 per cent.
	Middlesbrough PCT's allocation has risen to £198.4 million for 2004–05, a cash increase of 7.2 per cent.
	An additional magnetic resonance imaging scanner was delivered to James Cook University in February 2003.

Health Bodies (Salaries and Fees)

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what salaries or fees are paid to the (a) chairs and (b) chief executives of (i) the Health Care Commission, (ii) the Social Care Commission, (iii) Monitor and (iv) the National Institute for Clinical Excellence; and how many days' work per week each is required to undertake.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 10 January 2005
	The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Organisation  Position  Salary (£) Days work per week 
		
		
			 Healthcare Commission Chair 1 50,878 5 
			 Healthcare Commission Chief Executive 160,000 5 
			 Commission for Social Care Inspection Chair 84,456 3 
			 Commission for Social Care Inspection Chief Inspector 145,000 5 
			 Monitor Chair(39) 195,000 5 
			 National Institute for Clinical Excellence Chair 23,654 3 
			 National Institute for Clinical Excellence Chief Executive 139,353 5 
		
	
	(39) Monitor has an executive chairman.

Patient Environment Action Team

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department is doing to ensure that more hospitals move up the score ladder of the Patient Environment Action Team.

John Hutton: The patient environment action (PEAT) team score is based on the standards observed on the day of the assessment. It is for each national health service trust to take action locally to maintain and where necessary, improve those standards. Any improvements made since 2004 will be reflected in the 2005 assessments.
	Since the launch of the clean hospitals programme, £68 million has been allocated to the NHS to assist in raising standards. The Department has also issued a range of advice, guidance and best practice on ensuring high standards of cleanliness, including the "National Specifications for Cleanliness", the "NHS Healthcare Facilities Cleaning Manual" and "Guidance on Contracting for Cleaning". NHS Estates also provides an advice and support service for any hospitals assessed as less than acceptable to assist them in addressing the shortfalls identified.

School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what costs were incurred prior to the launch of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme; what has been the cost of the scheme in each month since its launch; how many individual pieces of fruit and vegetables have been distributed in each month since its launch; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: In 2000–01 and 2001–02, the lottery-funded New Opportunities Fund (NOF) provided £16 million towards the original pilots and in 2002–03 and 2003–04 NOF supported a scaling-up of the original pilots across five Government regions with £42 million.
	The Department spent £0.75 million in 2001–02 and £0.3 million in 2002–03 on administering and evaluating the national school fruit scheme pilots, including the cost of the fruit.
	As detailed in the "Choosing Health White Paper", the national rollout to all local education authority infant, primary and special schools across England of the scheme was completed at the end of 2004. The Department has committed £77 million for the expansion and continuation of the scheme, now known as the school fruit and vegetable scheme, over 2004–05 and 2005–06.
	I officially launched the national rollout of the scheme on 10 December 2004, at which time over 1,867,000 pupils throughout England were receiving a fresh piece of fruit or vegetable each school day. This equates to approximately 36,500 million pieces of fruit or vegetable every school month.
	More details on our strategy for improving diet will be announced in 2005, when the Government will publish its delivery plan for the White Paper and the food and health action plan.

School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment (a) has been made and (b) he plans to make of the effectiveness of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, with particular reference to improving long-term eating habits.

Melanie Johnson: The "Choosing Health White Paper" set out the Government's strategy for achieving long-term improvements in the health and diet of the population. The school fruit and vegetable scheme has a key role to play in instilling good eating habits in young people and is contributing towards the obesity public service agreement to:
	"halt the year-on-year rise in obesity among children under 11 by 2010, in the context of a broader strategy to tackle obesity in the population as a whole".
	The Department commissioned a National Opinion Poll survey of the school fruit and vegetable scheme, then known as the national school fruit scheme, which was published in October 2003. Nearly half of all parents questioned in that survey thought that the scheme had made them more aware of the importance of fruit for a healthy diet and over a quarter of children and their families reportedly ate more fruit at home as a direct result of the scheme.
	The Big Lottery Fund has commissioned a full evaluation of the impact of the school fruit and vegetable scheme on children's diet and a full report is expected in early 2005. The evaluation uses a dietary assessment tool that has been specially developed for the Department for use with four to six year old children.
	More details on our strategy for improving diet will be announced in 2005, when the Government will publish its delivery plan for the White Paper and the food and health action plan.